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Locked.
Eye of Beholding 1.
Lock eyes with your target for 30 seconds to gain uncanny perception from which to base negotiation tactics.
[Passive] [Requires: Strength 4, Focus 6] [375 XP to unlock].
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Improve to Eye of Beholding 2 to reduce gaze time to 26 seconds. [Passive] [Requires: Strength 6, Focus 9] [750 XP to improve].
…
Intended Change: 0 –> 1
Cost Subtotaclass="underline" 375
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Locked.
Flirt 1.
A coy smile. A gentle touch. A deal to seal. Spend AP to endear your target to you, improving the outcome of any exchange.
[5 AP / second to cast] [Requires: Hardiness 3, Vivacity 4] [375 XP to unlock].
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Improve to Flirt 2 to reduce AP cost. [4.7 AP / second to cast] [Requires: Hardiness 4, Vivacity 6] [750 XP to improve].
…
Intended Change: 0 –> 1
Cost Subtotaclass="underline" 375
TOTAL NEGOTIATRIX SKILL XP COST: 750
Summary
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Available XP: 1,954
Cost of Intended Changes: 1,825
Precision Training Discount (1%): 18
Total Adjusted Cost: 1,807
Total Projected Remaining: 147
Confirm?: Yes / No
∇
“There,” I said, confirming Cindra’s new stats and skills. “That should do the trick. When you negotiate from now on, hold eye contact for 30 seconds and see what happens. You can also spend your internal energy to Flirt while negotiating to improve your success.”
“Here I thought my flirting game was strong as it was,” she said.
“I just don’t get why you have no combat class,” I said.
“I don’t know anything about combat,” she said. “I’ve never held a weapon in my life. I’d be happy to try. Maybe a nice long pole like yours.”
“Polearms aren’t for everyone,” I said. “Maybe we can find something you’re suited to when we get to our destination. Speaking of which,” I turned to Vix next, “can I pick anything up for you in the city?”
“Are you serious?” she asked.
“If these jewels are worth as much as I hope they are,” I said, “I should be able to help equip you before you leave. It’s not getting any safer out there.”
“Armor would be nice,” she said. “Something that improves my stats without making me look like a tomboy. I’d rather have a new hammer though, since it’s not only my weapon but also the tool of my trade. No wait, an axe! That takes first priority.”
“You shouldn’t change weapon class,” I said. “You’ve already started building up your hammer skills.”
“It’s not to fight with,” she said, “it’s to chop down trees. Just a hatchet would do. It would take having wood on hand to construct a wooden horse or a worktable as needed, just so that I’m not grinding good stone against the temple floor and wearing it down.”
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll see what I can do. Will you mind holding down the fort while we’re gone? Nola says there aren’t any threats nearby.”
“I will be fine. Besides, I could use some alone time. It’s that time of the month.”
“Ah. Say no more,” I said.
“Not like that, you dumb human,” she said. “I’m in heat. It happens every month, and after waking up with your morning-self pressed against me, it’s going to take me some time to cool off.”
“My morning… Oh no! I’m sorry.” I blushed again. I never realized how awkward and embarrassing women could make my life.
“It’s not something you can help,” she said. “Just like I can’t help the insatiable craving coursing through my body right now. You two should head out to the city before I pounce on one of you.”
Excuse me, Nola said. You can’t just leave a stranger here unsupervised.
You’re telling me this now?, I asked. What am I supposed to do?
She hasn’t pledged fealty to me, Nola said. She’ll have to do that first.
This was going to be awkward. “Hey Vix,” I said. “So, Nola was hoping you would pledge your, um, fealty to her. Before I leave.”
“I’m surprised she let me sleep here without doing that,” Vix said. “Sure thing.”
“Really?” I asked. “Just like that?”
“I’m here to fix the door,” she said. “It would be rude to think I could hang out here without a binding promise that I have no ill will. Besides, she’s been good to you, and to me so far. It’s fine.”
Vix turned toward the altar and got on her knees. “Holy Nola, worthy of devotion. I promise to stay without causing commotion.”
“That’s the pledge?” I asked.
“The words don’t matter,” Vix said, “so long as my meaning is true and the words rhyme. I don’t make the rules.”
She’s right, Nola said. I accept her pledge. It is binding.
“She accepts your pledge,” I said.
Cindra knelt next, which surprised me. “Goddess Nola, queen of mind. I wish you only thoughts most kind.”
I accept hers too! This is fun.
“Nice job,” I said.
Next, Vix faced me and knelt again. “Arden Hochbright, Nola’s pastor. On these grounds you are my master.” I was shocked, and then Cindra repeated the same words.
“What was that?” I asked.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” Vix said. “It’s the customary follow up to the first pledge. It’s just a formality.”
“It’s still binding,” I said.
“Yes,” she agreed, “it’s still binding. Now get out of here before I jump your bones and Cindra’s… firm gelatinous curves?”
“That’s accurate,” Cindra said.
“Okay,” I said. “We’re leaving. Good luck with the door, and I’ll see what we can do about some new gear.”
+9
I paid little attention to the trees as we set out for Valleyvale. My gaze was transfixed on the five shining gems we had found in the temple. They were cut at strange angles, like diamond. They could have been diamonds for all I knew, or any other rare and expensive jewel that rich people would set in earrings and pendants. We were going to be rich.
“Will you allow me to carry the gems?” Cindra asked as we walked. “I’ll stash them someplace safe.”
“Sure,” I said. I slid the precious stones back into their pouch and handed it to her. She placed it in the space between her breasts. I watched as the pouch sank into her skin and all but disappeared, still slightly visible through her translucent body. As the bag gently slid downward out of view, I had the feeling it was sinking into a dense, warm jello.
“They’re cold,” she said. “But they’ll warm up as we walk.”
“What else can you fit in there?” I asked.
“What else do you have?” she asked. She arched an eyebrow, letting me know that she was, indeed, being suggestive. I wasn’t sure what to do with that innuendo though. She had just pledged fealty to me, and I didn’t want to take advantage.
“Why don’t you tell me a little more about that mage, Mercifer?” I asked.
“Mercifer is a gentle old elf,” Cindra said, stepping over a fallen tree as we made our way through the forest. “With fair white hair and a powerful jaw. He was shorter than me, and rail thin. Perhaps that was the problem. I was made with hips too wide and legs too long. I overshadowed his stature.”
Elves were notoriously short. I suspected even a human toddler would overshadow Mercifer’s stature.